DIY: 370Z Lowering Spring Install

Zemurray · 09-01-2016, 09:06 PM

Thanks for the howto. Certainly helped. A made a couple notes along the way for others if interested.

Loosening the top nut off the "hat" for the front strut. I didn't like the idea of using vice grips on the strut shaft. I used a "crow foot" type open end socket, the kind that reaches around like a pipe wrench. That allowed the top to stay accessible for an 8mm open end wrench to hold the shaft, and a small fat bar wedged between the top 3 bolts on the strut top plate to keep it from twisting. Once the springs were compressed enough to freely move, it wasn't that difficult to break the nut free without gouging the surface of the strut shaft.

Also, when holding the strut in the vice, i would use the vice on the very bottom of the strut where the weld is, you don't want to crush the strut tube where the piston pushes through.

I have air tools, the nut for the bottom of the front strut still wouldn't budge, no issues using a 6 point socket and the breaker bar off my floor jack though.

I used a hand spring compressor, the cheap kind that bolts on and you have to crank down the nuts with an open end wrench. this made the front take about 3 hours per side. The back I did both sides in just over an hour.

Swift springs and Kics spacers (20mm, 25mm) from Kamispeed. Turned out great and was really surprised how good the ride is, not harsh at all, but definitely more planted and a huge improvement in handling..

pic was before a test ride, I'm sure it will settle a bit more..

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09-01-2016, 09:06 PM	#39 (permalink)
Zemurray Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: La Grange, KY Posts: 117 Drives: 78 280z, 40th 370z Rep Power: 14	Thanks for the howto. Certainly helped. A made a couple notes along the way for others if interested. Loosening the top nut off the "hat" for the front strut. I didn't like the idea of using vice grips on the strut shaft. I used a "crow foot" type open end socket, the kind that reaches around like a pipe wrench. That allowed the top to stay accessible for an 8mm open end wrench to hold the shaft, and a small fat bar wedged between the top 3 bolts on the strut top plate to keep it from twisting. Once the springs were compressed enough to freely move, it wasn't that difficult to break the nut free without gouging the surface of the strut shaft. Also, when holding the strut in the vice, i would use the vice on the very bottom of the strut where the weld is, you don't want to crush the strut tube where the piston pushes through. I have air tools, the nut for the bottom of the front strut still wouldn't budge, no issues using a 6 point socket and the breaker bar off my floor jack though. I used a hand spring compressor, the cheap kind that bolts on and you have to crank down the nuts with an open end wrench. this made the front take about 3 hours per side. The back I did both sides in just over an hour. Swift springs and Kics spacers (20mm, 25mm) from Kamispeed. Turned out great and was really surprised how good the ride is, not harsh at all, but definitely more planted and a huge improvement in handling.. pic was before a test ride, I'm sure it will settle a bit more..